With the start of the new league year across the NFL on the horizon, expect a lot of change for the New York Giants under John Harbaugh.
Harbaugh was brought in as the Giants' new head coach to turn this franchise back into a winner, after it been a laughingstock over the last several seasons. If Harbaugh and New York want to get back into playoff contention right away, it would not be a surprise at all if a change of player personnel ensues.
While the talent on this Big Blue roster is undeniable, especially at quarterback in Jaxson Dart, it would not be a shock if some of these current players are on a new team when the 2026 season kicks off. Could one of those players, potentially on the way out the door, be this once-promising first-round draft pick for the G-Men?
NY Giants predicted to trade CB Deonte Banks this offseason
In a February 16 article for Bleacher Report, Kristopher Knox listed players across the NFL who could potentially be on the trading block this offseason. One of those players is the Giants' very own Deonte Banks, who's been nothing short of a disappointment during his three seasons as a pro.
"A little less than three years ago, the New York Giants used the 24th overall pick in the draft on Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks," Knox wrote. "The pick initially seemed like a good one. Banks started 15 games as a rookie and allowed an opposing passer rating of only 79.6 in coverage."
"However, Banks saw a significant decline in 2024 and was in and out of the starting lineup this past season. He was benched at one point in 2024 for poor tackling and allowed an opposing passer rating of 126.7 in 2025."
"With new head coach John Harbaugh kicking off a new era in New York, moving on from Banks could make some sense. His trade value wouldn't be particularly high right now, but Harbaugh will want to craft his own roster, and underwhelming players from the previous regime may not fit."
Related: Giants would be foolish not to entertain aggressive trade for 4-time Pro Bowler
Knox also added that Banks' predicted value is a 2026 fifth-round pick with teams like the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars as potential suitors.
As Knox alluded to, the Giants selected Banks with the 24th overall pick in that infamous, disastrous 2023 NFL Draft that Joe Schoen completely dropped the ball on. While Banks's rookie season was promising, as the now 24-year-old had two interceptions and allowed an opposing passer rating of only 79.6, according to Pro Football Reference, he completely fell off.
The following two seasons for Banks saw him get benched on multiple occasions due to a lack of effort and poor tackling. The former Maryland product was held out of the starting lineup during multiple instances during the 2024 season. The following year saw Banks start in just six games for the Giants due in large part to allowing a dismal opposing passer rating of 126.7.
While it's fair to say that Banks has not been the only player in the 2023 draft class for the Giants that has been an abject disaster, New York was very high on him, and it now looks like his days with the team may be numbered.